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Hanrahan finds groove against Orioles

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Red Sox closer Joel Hanrahan produced the clean outing he had been looking for on Saturday night against the Orioles, powering through a 1-2-3 inning that included two strikeouts.

For Hanrahan, it was a good feeling after giving up runs in each of his first four Grapefruit League outings.

"No doubt," Hanrahan said. "It's always nice to have a clean inning. It is Spring Training and we're still working on things, but to be able to go out there, especially after the last two outings where I didn't finish my inning, just to be able to finish my inning was pretty exciting."

The timing couldn't have been better. Hanrahan will fly back to Boston on Sunday so he can be there for the birth of his first child -- a boy. He will return to camp on Thursday.

"I'm really excited," Hanrahan said. "This is a day I've been waiting for for a long time. I don't really know how to explain it. I'll get a chance to meet my son that's been growing for nine months. I have a feeling the emotions will hit me a little more tomorrow when I get on that plane."

Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brownie Points, and follow him on Twitter @IanMBrowne. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.